Official Name: Island Territory of Sint Maarten Capital: Philipsburg Flag: Population: 35,000 Language: Dutch, English Currency: Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG) Government Website: www.governorsxm.com Chamber of Commerce: www.sxmcoci.org Emergency Info:

From the quiet inner country roads and quaint towns of its hillsides St. Maarten rolls down into an entirely different scene of happening coastline and body filled beaches. While the inner island is content being lethargic in the daytime and mostly sleepy at night, the beach going noon-day crowds become the throbs of the twinkling casinos and steel drum filled clubs at night. St. Maarten possesses all the Caribbean lust, and lacks none of the to-dos of the states.

The Dutch nation of the island is small, only 13.1 square miles, in fact the island is the smallest land to have ever been divided into two countries; French St. Martin and Dutch St. Maarten. Though small, St. Maarten is full of activity, adventure, and plenty of duty free shopping. The nation’s main town and capital since 1768, Phillipsburg, is filled with an array of restaurants, shops, clubs and casinos. A good deal of the bustle is set along the bay on Front Street. Although recognized for its colonial architecture, the town is mostly known as a top duty-free port, and true to its reputation there is certainly no shortage of shopping in Phillipsburg.

Many of the islands bright lights and posh amenities can be found at Maho Bay on the southwest coast. Maho Bay is the islands largest resort area, thick with tall buildings, glittery storefronts and a massive casino. The beach at Maho Bay is beautiful, but does lie close to the airport. A few steps away from crowded Maho Bay is Simpson Bay Lagoon. The lush beach is popular for water sports and is just far enough away from Maho Bay to miss the brunt of the midday resort crowds.

Oyster Pond is where visitors will find some of the most outstanding snorkeling offered on St. Maarten. The windsurfing conditions at Oyster Pond are also some of the best. The pristine waters of Oyster Pond are also the legendary site of an important piece of St. Maarten’s history. It is said that Oyster Pond is the point which a Dutchman and a Frenchman started out back to back and began walking around the island to form what now determines the boundaries for the French and Dutch sides of the islands. Fortunately for visitors, those boundaries are very loose; in fact it’s easy to cross into French territory without even knowing it, especially while on Cupecoy Beach which is the last Dutch beach on the west side of the island. Quiet and lined with protective sandstone cliffs, it’s the perfect beach for a nap.

To experience more of the islands colorful history with a magnificent view, climbing Mt. Concordia will take visitors atop the mountain in the center of the islands where the treaty that divided the islands was signed. Today the mountain serves as a symbol of peace, and a proud recognition of the 350 plus years of calm and considerate harmonious existence of two separate cultures. For another spectacular view, Cole Bay Hill has an observatory platform that provides excellent views of surrounding islands. There is also an hour long walking trail that leads from Cole Bay Hill to Cay Bay.

At the Madame Estate area, located north of Phillipsburg, is the St. Maarten Park. The park has an exceptional zoo and botanical garden featuring Caribbean native plants and animals including the largest display of parrots in the Caribbean- over 80 species. The squirrel monkeys, a reptile house, and nocturnal exhibit are some of the parks main attractions. The St. Maarten museum, also worth a gander, has a great collection of fascinating artifacts as well as a fine exhibit on Hurricanes Luis and Lenny.

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